there was laughing, there was smirking, there was interrupting, there were attacks from both sides, the democrats were looking for a spark from the vice president, while the republicans looked to capitalize on the momentum gain from mitt romney's first presidential debate, taxes were a driving force behind the economic portion of the debate. >> there aren't enough rich people and small businesses to tax to pay for all their spending, and so the next time you hear them say don't worry about it, we'll get a few wealthy people to pay their fair share, watch out, middle class, the tax bill's coming to you. >> we're arguing that the bush tax cuts for the wealthy should be allowed to expire. of the bush tax cuts for the wealthy, $800 billion of that goes to people making a million of $1 million. just let taxes expire like they're supposed to on those millionaires. we can't afford $800 billion going to people making a minimum of $1 million. >> see, $800 million billion, i need scientific notation. >> he corrected himself as he was talking. >> no -- did he? didn't that sound bad? if you want to